After 7 years, we got off our butts and planned this big party!

A mutual friend, Tori, whom Nathan worked with and Christopher had studied abroad in France with (at the same time Nathan was also studying abroad, not that they'd meet for another few years) had decided to match them up. After a year of trying to get them in the same room, Tori finally succeeded at her housewarming/Cinco de Mayo party just a few days after Tori and Nathan had each moved to Chicago proper from the burbs. Nathan met Christopher (now called Topher lovingly), and they immediately hit it off, talking about The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy until 3 am, long after the rest of the party had left or gone to bed (Tori included). Topher offered to walk Nathan home, helping him carry the copious cupcakes he'd brought to the party (foreshadowing?). Nathan knew he was a nice guy, but was a bit guarded still after a terrible previous relationship. Nathan gave him a hug and thanked him, sending him on his way back to his friend's place. Topher had left his phone and glasses at Tori's, and did not know the way back to Wrigleyville very well, so he went the wrong way. He had to ask a police officer which way to go to get to Wrigley Field. He did eventually make it back to Tori's, safe and sound. Meanwhile, Nathan leaned against his front door and sighed, just like your favorite rom-com protagonist. "Man, that guy was the best guy I've ever met...we had so much in common...*sigh*....and I didn't even give him a kiss!" and he turned around and ran like a bat out of hell after Topher, not knowing Topher had gone the wrong way. Nathan ran for a few blocks, but was not able to find him, and was very sad, thinking in his inebriated state that he would never see him again. In the morning, Nathan soberly called Tori to talk to Topher. "You really messed that up last night, Nathan!!" was her greeting, "...but he's been waiting for you to call. Here's Christopher." And that night, they went to see The Avengers as their first date, and the rest is history!